Temporary roof support system

ABSTRACT

A temporary roof support system of a roof bolter machine is provided. The temporary roof support system includes a multistage cover assembly, a sliding assembly, a guiding assembly and a first actuator. The sliding assembly is coupled to the multistage cover assembly. The guiding assembly is coupled to a boom of the roof bolter machine, and is configured to guide the sliding assembly in a predetermined direction. A first end of the first actuator is coupled to the guiding assembly by a first pivot joint, and a second end of the first actuator is coupled to the multistage cover assembly by a second pivot joint. An extension of the first actuator along the length translates the multistage cover assembly in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the sliding assembly by the guiding assembly in the predetermined direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a temporary roof support system of a roof bolter machine, and more particularly, to a temporary roof support system including a guiding assembly and a sliding assembly.

BACKGROUND

Roof bolting is a common process to stabilize roofs in underground coal mines, tunnels and power plants. It involves inserting conventional, cable or resin bolts by drilling directly into the rock strata using a roof bolter machine. The roof bolter machine generally includes a boom extending from a chassis of the roof bolter machine, a temporary roof support system for installing multiple bolts simultaneously in a roof to make it self-supporting. Typically, the temporary roof support system includes a crossbar mounted on a multistage cover assembly for providing a temporary support to the roof while drilling as well as bolting. The multistage cover assembly is mounted to the boom of the roof bolter machine in such a way that the complete multistage cover assembly is able to translate in a vertical direction relative to the boom.

In the current designs, the mounting, of the multistage cover assembly is achieved by a metal cover that wraps around the multistage cover assembly and uses a stabilizing cylinder for translating the multistage cover assembly in the vertical direction. The metal cover includes a number of components such as a front cover, a rear cover, multiple connection points for connecting the metal cover to the boom and to the multistage cover assembly, connection points for connection of the stabilizing cylinder and a second actuator. The structure of the current metal cover results in an increased overall weight of the temporary roof support system, and in turn, of the roof bolter machine as a whole. Also, the complex structure of the metal cover makes it difficult to assemble and disassemble during a scheduled maintenance of the roof bolter machine. Further, the components such as the front cover and the rear cover increase the machining and hardware requirements and thus, making the system expensive to design and manufacture. Additionally, the metal cover wraps around the whole multistage cover assembly, which generates friction and wear in the multistage cover assembly and requires timely lubrication and replacement of wear pads, which in turn increases the idle tune of the roof bolter machine. Therefore, an improved system for mounting, the multistage cover assembly to the boom is required which is less complex, eliminates wear of the multistage cover assembly and also reduces the overall weight of the roof bolter machine.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,186 discloses a roof drilling and bolting machine. The roof drilling and bolting machine includes a chassis mounted on wheels, two operator cabs and a temporary roof support positioned in front of the two operator cabs. The roof drilling and bolting machine includes a boom connected to the multistage cover assembly using a pivot joint. Also, a second actuator is provided which can tilt the multistage cover assembly. However, such a system for mounting the multistage cover assembly to the boom is rigid, and does not allow the multistage cover assembly to translate relative to the boom, and therefore, has very limited flexibility. Thus, there exists a need of a more flexible system for mounting the multistage cover assembly to the boom.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a temporary roof support system of a roof bolter machine is provided. The temporary roof support system includes a multistage cover assembly, a sliding assembly, a guiding assembly and a first actuator. The sliding assembly is coupled to the multistage cover assembly. The guiding assembly is coupled to a boom of the roof bolter machine, and is configured to guide the sliding assembly in a predetermined direction. The first actuator has a first end and a second end and is extendable along a length of the first actuator. The first end of the first actuator is coupled to the guiding assembly by a first pivot joint, and the second end of the first actuator is coupled to the multistage cover assembly by a second pivot joint. An extension of the first actuator along the length translates the multistage cover assembly in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the sliding assembly by the guiding assembly in the predetermined direction.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof bolter machine having a temporary roof support system in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the temporary roof support system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a guiding assembly, a sliding assembly and a multistage cover assembly of the temporary roof support system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the temporary roof support system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a guiding assembly, a sliding assembly and a multistage cover assembly of the temporary roof support system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a roof bolter machine 10 includes a rear frame 12, a main frame 14, a drilling station 16, a drilling boom 18 and a temporary roof support system 20. The roof bolter machine 10 includes other components such as a prime mover like electric motor or engine, wheels, a cylinder, a stage cylinder etc. For the purpose of simplicity, various other components of the roof bolter machine 10 are not labeled in FIG. 1. The temporary roof support system 20 is used for installing multiple bolts in a roof for making the roof self supporting. The temporary roof support system 20 includes a base 22, a multistage cover assembly 24, and a crossbar 26 with rocker pads 28. During operation of drilling holes, the multistage cover assembly 24 is hydraulically actuated causing it to lift the crossbar 26 and subsequently, the rocker pads 28 at either end of the crossbar 26 support the roof while bolts are installed in the holes. The multistage cover assembly 24 is mounted to the roof bolter machine 10 in such a way that the complete multistage cover assembly 24 is able to translate in a vertical direction relative to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the temporary roof support system 20 includes the multistage cover assembly 24, a sliding assembly 30, a guiding assembly 32 and a first actuator 34 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The sliding assembly 30 further includes a first sliding member 36 and a second sliding member 38. The first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 of the sliding assembly 30 are coupled to the multistage cover assembly 24. The first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 are connected to the cover assembly 24 by a base plate 40 and a top plate 42. The guiding assembly 32 is coupled to a boom 44 of the roof bolter machine 10, and is adapted to guide each of the first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 of the sliding assembly 30 in a predetermined direction.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding, assembly 32 includes a first plate 46 and a second plate 48 for coupling of the guiding assembly 32 to the boom 44 of the roof bolter machine 10. The guiding assembly 32 also includes a third pivot joint 50 for coupling of a second actuator 52 to the guiding assembly 32. The guiding assembly 32 is coupled to the first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 of the sliding assembly 30 using a first arm 54, a second arm (not shown), a first block 56 and a second block 58. The first arm 54 is coupled to the guiding assembly 32 at a first end 60 of the first arm 54 and the first block 56 at a second end 62 of the first arm 54. Similarly, the second arm (not shown) is coupled to the guiding assembly 32 and to the second block 58. The first block 56 and the second block 58 are coupled to the first arm 54 and the second arm (not shown) respectively by a number of bolls 64. Further, the first block 56 and the second block 58 are coupled to the first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 of the sliding assembly 30 respectively, thereby, coupling the guiding assembly 32 to the sliding assembly 30. Further, a liner assembly may be provided in both, the first block 56 and the second block 58, to manage any wear and friction.

The first actuator 34 has a first end 66 and a second end 68 and is extendable along a length L₁ of the first actuator 34. The first end 66 of the first actuator 34 is coupled to the guiding assembly 32 by a first pivot joint 70, and the second end 68 of the first actuator 34 is coupled to the multistage cover assembly 24 by a second pivot joint 72. An extension of the first actuator 34 along the length L₁ translates the multistage cover assembly 24 in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 of the sliding assembly 30 with the help of the guiding assembly 32 in the predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is along the length L₁ of the first actuator 34.

When the first actuator 34 is extended along the length L₁, the first sliding member 36 and the second sliding member 38 are guided by the first block 56 and the second block 58 respectively in the predetermined direction resulting into the translation of the multistage cover assembly 24 in the predetermined direction.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the present disclosure of the temporary roof support system 20 includes the multistage cover assembly 24, a sliding assembly 30′, a guiding assembly 32′ and the first actuator 34 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The sliding assembly 30′ further includes a third sliding member 74 and a fourth sliding member 76. The third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ are coupled to the multistage cover assembly 24 by a number of bolts 78. The guiding assembly 32′ is coupled to the boom 44 of the roof bolter machine 10, and is adapted to guide each of the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ in the predetermined direction.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding assembly 32′ includes a third plate 80 and a fourth plate 82 for coupling of the guiding assembly 32′ to the boom 44 of the roof bolter machine 10. The guiding assembly 32′ further includes a fourth pivot joint 84 for coupling of the second actuator 52 to the guiding assembly 32′. The guiding assembly 32′ further includes a pin 86. The pin 86 is coupled to the guiding assembly 32′ via the third plate 80 and the fourth plate 82. The third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 include a first slot 88 and a second slot 90 respectively. The guiding assembly 32′ is coupled to the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ using the pin 86, the first slot 88 and the second slot 90. The third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ include fifth members 92 and stopping members 94. The fifth members 92 includes two “L” shaped plates and is coupled to the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 by the number of bolts 78. Further, the pin 86 is coupled to the first slot 88 and to the second slot 90 of the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′, thereby, coupling the guiding assembly 32′ to the sliding assembly 30′.

The first actuator 34 has the first end 66 and the second end 68 and is extendable along the length L₁ of the first actuator 34. The first end 66 of the first actuator 34 is coupled to the guiding assembly 32′ by the first pivot joint 70, and the second end 68 of the first actuator 34 is coupled to the multistage cover assembly 24 by the second pivot joint 72. An extension of the first actuator 34 along the length L₁ translates the multistage cover assembly 24 in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ with the help of the guiding assembly 32′ in the predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is along the length L₁ of the first actuator 34.

When the first actuator 34 is extended along the length L₁, the pin 86 guides the third sliding member 74 and the fourth sliding member 76 of the sliding assembly 30′ in the predetermined direction resulting into the translation of the multistage cover assembly 24 in the predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is along the length L₁ of the first actuator 34, The stopper member 98 is provided for additional safety requirements.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Referring to FIG. 1, the roof bolter machine 10 includes the temporary roof support system 20 for installing multiple bolts simultaneously in a roof to make it self-supporting. The temporary roof support system 20 includes the crossbar 26 mounted on the first actuator 34. The crossbar 26 has rocker pads 28 at either end to support the roof while drilling holes in the rock strata, and subsequently introducing bolts in these holes. The multistage cover assembly 24 is mounted to the boom 44 of the roof bolter machine 10 in such a way that the complete multistage cover assembly 24 is able to translate in a vertical direction relative to the boom 44 with the help of the first actuator 34,

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the temporary roof support system 20 includes the sliding assembly 30, 30 and the guiding assembly 32, 32′. The extension of the first actuator 34 along the length L₁ translates the multistage cover assembly 24 in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the sliding assembly 30, 30′ by the guiding assembly 32, 32′ in the predetermined direction. Consequently, metal covers are not required for translating the multistage cover assembly 24, thereby, reducing the overall weight of the roof support system 20.

The sliding assembly 30, 30′ and the guiding assembly 32, 32′ make the system easy to assemble and dissemble during a scheduled maintenance of the roof bolter machine 10. Due to simple design of the sliding assembly 30, 30′ and the guiding assembly 32, 32, there is very less rubbing action between the sliding assembly 30, 30′ and the guiding assembly 32, 32′, thereby, very less friction is generated. Consequently, lubrication and wear pads are not required, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing costs of the roof bolter machine 10.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A temporary roof support system of a roof bolter machine, comprising: a multistage cover assembly; a sliding assembly coupled to the multistage cover assembly; a guiding assembly coupled to a boom of the roof bolter machine, the guiding assembly configured to guide the sliding assembly in a predetermined direction; and a first actuator extendable along a length of the first actuator, the first actuator having, a first end and a second end, the first end of the first actuator coupled to the guiding assembly by a first pivot joint, and the second end of the first actuator coupled to the multistage cover assembly by a second pivot joint; wherein an extension of the first actuator along the length translates the multistage cover assembly in the predetermined direction, by guiding of the guiding assembly by the sliding assembly in the predetermined direction. 